Rising Music by Chris Lake

My relationship with house music dates way back into 2006. That was the year when I first “felt the vibe” with Axwell, was “taken away” by the music of Haji and Emanuel, watched the “sun rising up” with Deux, and, and, and… But most of all, I felt that “there were so many changes in my life, and I didn’t knew, if they were wrong or right”. Four years later, I know that it was the best thing that could happen to me, to get “carried away” by this amazing music genre and by one producer in particular.

He is young, talented, creative, a bit of a workaholic, “CRAZY” and most certain one of the best house DJs and producers worldwide to be "crossing the line" with. He is… Chris Lake.



E: Chris, “Changes” really did change your life. What became different for you after releasing this bomb?

C: Well, mainly the fact I was able to pursue a full time career in music that I'd been hoping to do for so long. I'd been making records for a long time before "Changes" was produced, and had done a limited amount of international touring, but it really blew up for me after I made this track, and gave me a platform to release more music and get it heard by a greater audience. I definitely feel blessed in that respect.




E: In the past 4 years, you got two albums released – your own “Crazy” and “Cross The Line” together with Marco Lys. Are you already planning on the next one?

C: Of course! I love writing music, and I'm always making new beats. I hope to do something this year or in 2012. We will see.


E: How did you and Marco meet? And how comes that you work together on so many projects?

C: Well, I played Marco's remix of "My Digital Enemy - Wasted" on my Essential mix in 2007, and he wrote me an email to say thank you. We got speaking after that, then ended up in the studio together, and we get on really well. I spend a bit of time each year now in Italy working with him, and he comes to London quite regularly, but we also do a lot of work together online. It's a way of making music that I enjoy, and I'm massively happy with the results, that's why I enjoy working with him.


E: You and Marco released “Cross The Line” a couple of months ago. I think that the album is absolutely brilliant! And obviously so does everybody else :) How does it feel to get such great feedback from the audience and the critics?

C: Well, it's exciting that it's been received so well, and yeah, I guess it's important to me that people like my music, but it's really not the end of the world. I've just learnt to try and be happy with the music myself first, then hopefully if I like it, then others will too.



CHRIS LAKE & MARCO LYS - CROSS THE LINE [THE ALBUM] by chrislake


E: “Rising Music” is one major name in the music industry. How comes that you found your own music label and can you tell me something more about your work there?

C: It was around the same time that "Changes" came out that I created Rising Music. I just wanted to have a bit of control over the way I released my music, and I definitely don't regret it. I have a great team working at the label, Jamie, Duncan and Nick who look after the day to day goings on, and I choose the music, remixes etc.


E: How do you choose which song to release on your label and how do you manage to pick one good track from all the promos you get sent?

C: I mean, I'm pretty picky about what I like, but I'm also very quick at going through promo's. I get most of my records through digitally, and if a record doesn't catch my attention in 2-5 seconds, I delete it. It has to grab me straight away, and it definitely seems to work for me.


E: What would Chris Lake be working today, if it wasn’t for the house music?

C: Well, I think I would have been some sort of engineer or something like that. I like all that stuff. Other than that, I'd be trying to make it in the music industry.




E: You were quite a lot in the States over the past years. Is the American crowd somehow different than the European?

C: It is, yes. I think, there is a feeling in the USA that house music and clubbing is somehow a bit newer and fresher there. I've been lucky that I've hardly done a bad show there. They're really loving house out there, that's for sure.


E: You’ve done remixes for Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Mark Ronson, Lily Allen, Deadmau5 and many more. Have you ever imagined to become so popular with your music?

C: Hmmm, I dunno, I mean I always wanted to be successful in music to a certain degree, but you know, now I try to just focus solely on the music, and how accomplished I feel I can make each and every track. I've striving for perfection in my own field, and constantly trying to push myself. Otherwise, what's the point in doing this? I have no interest in doing the same old thing over and over again, as it will drive me mad.


E: It’s been over a month since the DJ Mag announced their Top 100 DJs for 2010. Do you think that the people choose wisely? And what do you think of such charts in general?

C: Hmmm, I have little positive thought any more on that poll. It's a shame, as the idea of the poll initially was good, but lets face it, it's descended into a bit of a farce.

Lake & Lys - La Tromba (320) by chrislake


E: You were one of this year’s residents at Amnesia on Ibiza. How will you remember these epic parties?

C: They were crazy good, and I love Amensia. It's a fantastic club, and anyone visiting Ibiza should make sure they check out the club. One of the best clubs in the world for sure.


E: Your style did change a lot since your first release. How would you describe your music at the moment?

C: I dunno, I mean, most people don't hear everything I create in the studio. I make so many different styles of music, I even confuse myself sometimes haha. I love groove though. Anything with a good groove does it for me!


E: When you are working on a new track, do you have a certain working mode or the ideas just hit you?

C: I'm very random in my way of working on tracks. It's different nearly every time. I'm sorry I couldn't be more specific.




E: Deadmau5, Michael Woods, Marco Lys, Nelski……these are just some of the names you are working with. Is there someone, who you admire and always wanted to work with, but haven’t had the chance yet?

C: Chemical Brothers. They rock, seriously. Amazing for years.


E: Twitter or Facebook?

C: Twitter.


E: Ableton or Logic?

C: Ableton.


E: Xbox or PS3?

C: Xbox.


E: What do you think of the future of electronic music? In times, when so many people choose the illegal download instead of supporting the art of the performers, is there a real chance to be successful with making music?

C: Yeah, I think so, I think the internet is starting to mature now, and the industry has finally began understanding what the consumer wants, and how to deliver it. Yes, the industry is shifting, but at the moment, in a way that is mainly beneficial to the consumer. As long as there is a consumer, the industry will be fine.




E: What can we expect from Chris Lake in the future?

C: I'm writing my ass off at the moment! I've decided to start doing some vocal tracks again, as I haven't done one for about 18 months now. I'm in the mood to do something, so watch this space!


Chris, thank you for this amazing interview :) If you guys want to get the "Chris-Lake"-experience, he'll be at Boothaus, Cologne on 22/01! So, definitely make sure to be there! :)

Special thanks to Seb @ Rising Music.